Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 7.djvu/129

Rh A Nasrāni,* by name Thomma (Thomas), was taken to accompany and protect the boy. The Kammālans travelled to their own country, and appeared before Chēramān Perumāl. On the way, they found a girl of the Variar caste plucking flowers, and caught her by the hand. All the five classes claimed her. At last it was resolved to unite her with the Izhuva boy, their Tandan, who represented their king, and treat her as their sister. Chēramān Perumāl confirmed his promise, and granted the following privileges to the Kammālans: —


 * 1. To make ceilings for their houses.


 * 2. To make upstairs houses to live in.


 * 3. To put up single staircases, consisting of one pole, in which notches are cut, or pegs are stuck alternately, for the feet.


 * 4. To have a gate -house.


 * 5. To perform the tāli-tying ceremonies of their girls in a booth having four posts or supports; to place within it, on a stool, a looking-glass with a handle, and the Rāmayana; and to place a silk cloth on the girl's head.


 * 6. To do arpu at the conclusion of the tāli-tying ceremony (Vel! Arpu! is yelled out by the boys).


 * 7. To cook rice in copper vessels on occasions of marriage and other ceremonies, and to serve sugar and pappadams at their feasts.


 * 8. To hold the umbrella and taza (a sort of umbrella), which are carried in front of processions.


 * 9. To clap hands, and dance.


 * 10. To keep milch-cows for their own use.

Permission was further granted for the Kammālans to wear the following ornaments.